Clothespin



April 6, 1954 H. E. OTT 2,674,022 CLOTHESPIN Filed Jan. 14, 1953INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 6, 1954 UNI TED STATE 5- PAT E Ni-T F F1 CE CLOTHESPIN Howard E. Ott, Glendale, Calif. Application January 14,1953, Serial N 0. 331,129

1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in wireclothespins.

The invention is more particularly concerned with wire clothespins ofthe so-called line-attached type whereby the pins remain on the linewhen not in use and are in fact irremovable from the line except :bythreading same over one end of the line after disconnection of such end.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a wire clothespin of theabove noted general simplicity in construction, durable in use, and 2.

which is capable of manufacture at relatively low cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent inthe course of the following detailed description, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved clothespin inaccordance with a preferred structural embodiment thereof.

Fig. 2 is an edge view as observed from the right of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the improved clothespin inoperative position on a portion of a clothesline.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view on a reduced scale showing a fragmentarylength of a clothesline, two of the pins in operative association withfragmentary portions of two pieces of laundry and a third pin ininoperative suspended position on the line.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the improved clothespin isdesignated in its entirety as ID. The pin I0 is formed from a singlelength of wire having inherent resiliency transversely of its axis. Thesingle length of wire is bent intermediate its ends into a substantiallycircular body portion I I. The two strands are then twisted together atspaced points I2 and I3 with relatively short lengths of the strandsjuxtaposed axially 2 of the body portion II and intermediate the twistsI2 and I3 as indicated at I4.

The end portions I5 and I6 of the wire are then bent into substantialconformity with the generally circular body portion II and as isapparent from Figs. 1, 3 and 4 the twists I2 and I3 are such that thearcuate end portions I5 and I6 are disposed at axially opposite sides ofthe body portion II and in substantial conformity therewith.

The portions I5 and I6 normally substantially engage the body portion IIand provide therewith a pair of line and laundry gripping jaws I1 and18. The portions I5 and I6 provide spring arms and they preferablyextend substantially beyond the center of the body portion II from therespective twists I2 and I3 and in order to facilitate admission of theline and laundry suspended therefrom within the jaws IT and I8.

" The ends of the arms I5 and I6 are turned outwardly in oppositedirections from the plane of the body portion II into the general formof eyes I9 and 20 respectively as is more clearly indicated in Fig. 2.

As is indicated in Fig. 5 pieces of laundry indicated fragmentally at Iand I are shown suspended from a suitable line L. One of the im provedpins I0 is in operative position on the line and in gripping relationwith the left edge of the piece of laundry I and wherein such edge isgripped within the jaw I8 provided by the body portion I I andassociated spring arm I6.

The other clothespin I0 shown in this view is also in operative positionon the line L and the opposite edge of laundry piece I is gripped within jaw I1 provided by the body portion II and associated spring arm I5,while the edge of the laundry piece I' is gripped within jaw II providedby the body portion I I and associated spring arm I6.

Thus it will be apparent that the improved clothespin in accordance withthe present invention is adapted to secure one edge of a piece oflaundry or the adjacent edges of two pieces of laundry without lappingsuch edges whereby the laundry will dry more uniformly throughout.

It is to be particularly observed that the improved clothespin is ofmaximum simplicity in construction and since it is constructed of wirepreferably of a rustproof nature it will last for an indefinite periodof time. Furthermore the pins remain on the line when not in use as isindicated to the right of Fig. 5 whereby they will always be readilyaccessible for use.

' While I have disclosed my invention in accordance with a singlespecific structural embodiment thereof, such is to be considered asillustrative only, and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingdefined in the sub-joined claim.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

A line carried wire clothespin comprising a single length of wire bentinto a generally circular closed body portion intermediate its ends, theend portions being twisted together at spaced points along the circularbody forming relatively short lengths of the strand juxtaposed axiallyof the circular body and intermediate the twists, said end portionsproviding a pair of spring arms,

4 one at each opposite axial side of the generally circular body portionand co-operating therewith to provide line and laundry gripping jaws atopposite sides of a diameter of the body portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 568,246 Fitzwater Sept. 22, 1896 1,648,488 Love Nov. 8, 19272,211,034 Stern Aug. 8, 1940 2,569,552 Bridwell Oct. 2, 1951

